Coulson moves aircraft operations to Southern California

Will be using gel in the Quick Reaction Force helicopters

Coulson Aviation has moved their aircraft operations to the desert of Southern California. They signed a five-year lease at the Thermal airport near Palm Springs for 25,000 square feet of hangar space and 7,000 square feet for offices. It will be the base for their three C-130s, 3 Boeing 737s, 5 CH-47 Chinook helicopters, three S-61 helicopters, and Blackhawks.

The bushfire season in Australia was virtually rained out, and Coulson’s aircraft spent more time on flood response than fires. The company also had aircraft in Chile which will soon be on their way back to the U.S.

While in Australia the Civil Aviation Safety Authority approved Coulson’s use of night vision goggles in their helicopters.

In an interview on March 23 with Fire Aviation, Wayne Coulson, CEO, said the length and coverage level of the drop pattern from the CH-47 may be competitive with the C-130, so this Spring they will take it to be tested at the grid. He said one of the specifications for a retardant drop is for it to be 50 to 100 feet wide, and if they configure the CH-47 drop to be 50 feet wide it may achieve coverage level 6 (6 gallons per 100 square feet) which is one of the most commonly used coverage levels.

N42CU Coulson CH-47 Chinook helicopter
Coulson’s CH-47 Chinook N42CU. Coulson photo, 2020.

Mr. Coulson also said the three water-carrying helicopters in Southern California’s Quick Reaction Force will have the capability of dropping gel during initial attack, in this case, BlazeTamer. The concentrate will be carried in a small tank in the helicopter and if needed mixed into the water. But they also have access to a mobile long term retardant base where retardant can be mixed and supplied for helicopters in a roadside turnout or parking lot.

In addition, Coulson is  “looking at the option of a real time retardant delivery system” — a 6,000-gallon former fuel truck from which helicopters could hover-reload with retardant. It could be dispatched along with the mobile retardant base and Quick Reaction Force helicopters.

With a CH-47, Mr. Coulson said, “We can fly 30,000 to 40,000 gallons an hour, which would be what a large air tanker could produce all day long in eight drops.”

No one ever accused Wayne Coulson of thinking small.

In the interview I asked him about the status of the retardant delivery system in the former Coast Guard C-130s that one day will be transferred to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Coulson was awarded the contract to install the tanks years ago, but working with the U.S. Air Force, which is required by a law passed eight years ago to convert the seven aircraft into air tankers, has its challenges. It now looks like the earliest those seven air tankers will take to the skies will be in 2024, CAL FIRE Director Joe Tyler told Fire Aviation yesterday.

Former Coast Guard C-130, 1714
Former Coast Guard C-130, 1714, at McClellan, Nov. 17, 2021. It may one day be converted by the US Air Force into an air tanker for CAL FIRE. Photo by Mike McKeig.

A person who asked to remain anonymous told Fire Aviation that when discussing the requirement of converting the C-130s into air tankers, a very high-ranking US Air Force official resorted to profanity, showing contempt, irritation, and resentment.

Interview with Wayne Coulson: gel vs. retardant, and their plans for more C-130 air tankers

This is a video interview with Wayne Coulson, CEO of the Coulson Group. The company operates two C-130 firefighting air tankers. Mr. Coulson talked about the use of gel for direct attack on fires, and how in some cases the local fire managers in Australia prefer that rather than indirect attack with long term fire retardant. He also discussed their plans for the company to add more aircraft to their fleet.